Cam Lund’s journey to the San Jose Sharks has been all about steady development and proving himself at each new level. Drafted 34th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, Lund came into the organization after a strong year with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, where he put up 50 points in 62 games. From there, he committed to Northeastern University and made a name for himself in college hockey.
Over three seasons, his offensive production steadily climbed, from 23 points as a freshman, to 30 points as a sophomore and finally 40 points in his junior season. After signing his entry-level contract with the Sharks, he even got his first taste of NHL action, making his debut late last season and scoring his first goal in just his second game. Last year, he earned spot 19 in Fear the Fin’s Top 25 Under 25 rankings.
Position: Center / Wing
Height: 6′2″
Weight: 192 pounds
Age: 21
Date of Birth: June 7, 2004
Draft Year: 2022 (34th overall by the San Jose Sharks)
Shoots: Right
2025–26 Team: San Jose Barracuda (AHL), with potential NHL call-ups
What we like
One of the first things that jumps out about Lund is his size paired with skill. At 6-foot-2, he’s got the frame you want in a modern NHL forward, but he’s not just out there throwing his weight around. His shot is sneaky good. He’s got this deceptive release that catches goalies off guard, and it was one of the main reasons he kept climbing in production every season at Northeastern. You can tell defenders don’t always know what he’s going to do with the puck, and that’s a weapon.
What’s also fun about Lund is that he’s clearly a player who doesn’t plateau, at least he hasn’t yet. His numbers went up every single year in college, and that’s not by accident. It shows he’s the type of guy who takes feedback, works on his weaknesses, and comes back stronger each season. By his junior year, he wasn’t just producing points; he was driving play and making his team better overall. That’s exactly the kind of growth you want to see in a prospect, especially in a system like San Jose’s, where they’re counting on the younger players to make real jumps year to year.
On top of all that, Lund has the kind of personality and compete level coaches love. It shows in how he plays. He’s not flashy all the time, but he works, and that goes a long way. In the NHL, that kind of mentality is what separates guys who stick from guys who just pass through. Lund feels like the type of player teammates trust, and if he keeps building on the skill he already has, that locker-room value will only add to his case for sticking around at the NHL level.
Areas of improvement
As much as there is to like about Lund, he’s still very much a work in progress. The biggest thing is just adjusting to the NHL pace. College hockey is fast, but the NHL is on another planet when it comes to speed and decision-making. There were moments in his short time with the Sharks, where you could tell he was a step behind, not because he doesn’t have the tools, but because the game comes at you so much quicker. That’s not unusual for a young player, but it’s definitely the main hurdle for him right now.
Another piece of his game that needs work is the defensive side. He’s shown little flashes of being a solid two-way player, but he’s not quite there yet. Sometimes he drifts in coverage or loses track of where he should be off the puck. In the NHL, those little lapses turn into goals against real quick. If he wants to move from just being a middle-six guy to maybe pushing for more responsibility, he’ll need to clean that part up. The Sharks are rebuilding and giving young players chances, so tightening up defensively could help him earn a bigger role faster.
Finally, Lund still has to figure out exactly what kind of forward he’s going to be at the pro level. Right now, he looks like more of a complementary piece. He’s someone who plays with higher-skill linemates and chips in offense rather than driving a line on his own. That’s just part of his development. If he can expand his playmaking and get more comfortable being the guy with the puck on his stick, his ceiling rises a lot. Until then, he’s more of a supporting cast player than a star, which is fine, but the next year or two will be huge in deciding which direction he goes.
What’s next for Lund?
Looking ahead, Lund is expected to spend most of the 2025–26 season with the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL. This will give him the chance to adjust to the pro game on a full-time basis, while still being close to the Sharks’ coaching staff and development team. If he finds his scoring touch quickly in the AHL, there’s a strong chance he could be called up during the season, especially if the Sharks run into injuries or need an offensive spark.
Long term, Lund has the tools to have a role as a reliable middle-six forward for the Sharks, and his first NHL run season was an early sign of what he can bring. With steady improvement, he could be one of the Sharks’ most exciting young forwards to watch in the coming years.
Highlight
Lund’s first NHL goal was one heck of a snipe.
He definitely has the vision for top-tier plays like this, and we’re catching a glimpse of how he will help the Sharks’ future.
Not only that, but he has the style.
He’s slick, he sees and he scores. So pay attention to the next couple of years, Lund could be an important piece of the Sharks organization.
Previous Top 25 Under 25 Posts
17. Ethan Cardwell
18. Haoxi Wang
19. Leo Sahlin Wallenius
20. Jack Thompson
21. Cole McKinney
22. Zack Ostapchuk
23. Mattias Havelid
24. Egor Afanasyev
25. Carson Wetsch
Honorable Mentions: Joey Muldowney, Jake Furlong, Brandon Svoboda, Nate Misskey, Gabriel Carriere
